How did Joseph Stalin abuse his power
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Correct Answer:
Joseph Stalin abused his power by consolidating absolute control over the Soviet Union through widespread purges, censorship, propaganda, forced collectivization, and the use of fear and terror to eliminate opposition and maintain authority.
Explanation:
Joseph Stalin, the leader of the Soviet Union from the mid-1920s until his death in 1953, abused his power in numerous ways to create and maintain a totalitarian regime. One of the most notorious examples was the Great Purge (1936–1938), during which Stalin ordered the execution or imprisonment of millions of people, including Communist Party members, military leaders, and ordinary citizens accused of being “enemies of the state.” These purges eliminated political rivals and created a climate of fear that discouraged dissent.
Stalin also controlled information through strict censorship and propaganda. The state controlled all media, education, and the arts to glorify Stalin and promote his ideology. History was rewritten to favor Stalin’s image, and independent thinking was suppressed. This allowed Stalin to shape public perception and control the narrative about his leadership.
Another major abuse of power was forced collectivization of agriculture. Stalin combined millions of small farms into state-run collectives, believing it would increase food production and fund industrialization. In reality, it led to widespread famine—especially in Ukraine, where the Holodomor famine caused millions of deaths. Farmers who resisted were punished or killed, and grain was often exported while citizens starved.
Stalin maintained control through a vast network of secret police (NKVD), surveillance, and labor camps known as Gulags, where millions were imprisoned and forced into hard labor under brutal conditions.
These actions highlight how Stalin used his position not to serve the people, but to entrench his power at great human cost. His regime prioritized control, loyalty, and fear over justice, freedom, and the well-being of the population, making him one of the most repressive and authoritarian leaders in modern history.
